By Ya Awa Touray
The new Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou, on Monday 5 September 2022 assumed office, after serving as the Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations from 1st October 2018 to 1st September 2022.
In his first engagement Ambassador Yabou met with senior and junior staff members of his new portfolio to pave a roadmap into the new dawn of his administration.
Speaking during the meeting held at the Foreign Ministry, Permanent Secretary II, Mrs. Saffie Sankareh Farage, welcomed his colleague and expressed confidence that his wealth of experience will be of immense value to the ministry.
In his remarks, the new Permanent Secretary Ambassador Lang Yabou said that his mandate as PS is to guarantee the application of rules and regulations, maintaining discipline, promoting professionalism and proficiency in service delivery. He stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the backbone of every government.
Ambassador Yabou also took the opportunity to express his views on his new assignment, telling staff that he would continue to work hand in hand with the staff and assured them of his fullest support. He called on everyone to continue the great work they are doing, and reminded staff of the importance of everyone’s role as a team member
PS Yabou added that he is a firm believer in teamwork as it is the only way to achieve organizational objectives.
“In order to succeed in our work, we must communicate. Communication is key, working together as a team is the quickest way to accomplish our mandate” He posited
He also urged the Directors to keep working closely with staff in their directorates, to deliver the aims and objectives of the Ministry for the benefit of the entire nation.
PS Yabou shared words of encouragement with all the staff and highlighted the areas he intends for the ministry to focus on. The discussions provided the PS with insights and recommendations on how to boost and enhance Gambia’s international cooperation.
Prior to his appointment as Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yabou served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to the Kingdom of Spain from 2013 to 2018, with concurrent accreditation to Italy, Greece, and Malta, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
From 2012 to 2013, Mr. Yabou was the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Administration and Finance, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also the Deputy Ambassador/Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Chancery at the Gambia High Commission in Nigeria from 2008 to 2012.
Ambassador Yabou served as Counsellor, and Head of Chancery at The Gambia High Commission in London, United Kingdom from 2006 to December 2007.
He also worked as Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul, The Gambia from 1999 to 2002 then to Personnel Management Office, from 1994 to 1999 as Personnel Officer.
Mr. Yabou has over 25 years of diplomatic and senior management experience. He holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom, a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Pune, India and attended series of courses on Diplomacy
